A Study on the Knowledge, Awareness, Perceptions and Behaviour (KAPB) of Students of the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine (UWI-STA) Towards Climate Change and its Impact on Human Health

Climate change (CC) is defined as long-term weather changes in the Earth's climate. CC has been linked to increased global temperatures. This affects human health both directly and indirectly: Directly, via increased risk of cardiovascular, respiratory, and vector-borne diseases. Indirectly, via reduced agricultural crop yields and accessibility to healthcare due to extreme weather events. Studies show that spreading awareness on the health impacts of CC encourages motivation towards mitigation (1). Early awareness of climate change and its health impacts is necessary for future generations to mitigate its effects.

Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Toxoplasma gondii in Free-Ranging Chickens from the Caribbean.

PURPOSE: Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite capable of infecting a wide range of hosts. Free-range chickens are important sentinels in the epidemiology of this parasite as they feed from the ground and are likely to ingest oocysts shed in the faeces of infected cats. Atypical strains of T. gondii are known to dominate in South America where they are associated with more severe disease in humans, yet relatively little is known about the strains circulating in neighbouring Caribbean islands. METHODS: In this study, hearts and brains were collected from free-range chickens in Antigua and Barbuda (n = 45), Dominica (n = 76) and Trinidad (n = 41), and DNA was extracted for nested ITS1 PCR and PCR-RFLP. Sera were collected and screened for antibodies using the modified agglutination test (MAT). RESULTS: Antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 20.5, 38.2 and 17.1% of chickens in Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica and Trinidad, respectively. Toxoplasma gondii DNA was also detected by PCR in 24.4, 17.1 and 17.1% of chickens, respectively, giving an overall prevalence of 31.1, 42.1, and 29.3% for each of the 3 island nations. Results of PCR-RFLP revealed 2 new atypical genotypes (designated ToxoDB #281 and #282) and one Type III (ToxoDB #2) in chickens from Antigua. Partial genotyping of a further 8 isolates (7 from Antigua and one from Trinidad) revealed different allele-types at five or more markers for 7 of the isolates, suggesting atypical genotypes. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to report the prevalence of T. gondii in free-range chickens in Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica and Trinidad and Tobago. It is also the first to report the presence of atypical genotypes in Antigua and Barbuda and Trinidad and Tobago.

The identification and characterization of high impact avian viruses circulating in wild and domestic birds in Trinidad and Tobago

Objective: To identify the extent of circulation and specific characteristics of various high priority avian viruses in wild and domestic birds in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T). Viruses included Avian Influenza virus (AIV), Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), Newcastle disease virus (NDV), Infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV), Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), Chicken infectious anaemia virus (CIAV), Fowl adenovirus Gp1 (FADV) and Egg drop syndrome virus (EDSV). Design and Methodology: A combination of active and passive surveillance of wild and domestic birds was carried out. Samples were tested for antibodies by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and for virus by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) / sequencing to identify and characterise the circulating viruses and to determine their serotype and genotype. Results: Antibodies were detected against IBV, NDV, ILTV, APV, IBDV, FADV and EDSV and viral nucleic acid was detected for IBV, APV, CIAV and FADV in domestic poultry in T&T. Further characterisation of FADV revealed that serotypes 8a, 8b, 9, and 11 were circulating in diseased birds, along with CIAV. Phylogenetic analysis of circulating IBV strains identified two lineages, one with high similarity to the vaccine strains and the second being identified as a unique lineage to T&T. AIV antibodies with high neutralising titres against a low pathogenic H5N3 strain were detected in sera from three wild birds, and AIV RNA was detected by PCR in a swab sample taken from another wild bird. Conclusions: This research identified for the first time the presence of various high-impact avian viruses in domestic poultry and wild birds in T&T.

Identifying novel Mycobacterium species in fish using multiple gene phylogenetic analysis

Mycobacteria have, for a long time, been suspected to be causing severe disease in ornamental and farmed fish in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), however, up to now, these mycobacteria species have not been identified and characterised. Many piscine mycobacteria species are also known to be zoonotic, potentially affecting human health. Objective: To identify and characterize the species of mycobacteria affecting fish (and possibly man) in T&T. Design and Methodology: Homogenised internal organs were collected from a total of 13 fish showing clinical signs consistent with mycobacterial infection. Samples were analysed using Ziehl-Neelsen (acid-fast) staining and real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (rPCR). The species of mycobacteria were further characterised using conventional PCR targeting the 16s rRNA (564 bp), rpoB (396 bp) and sod (408 bp) genes. PCR products were sequenced and the sequences were compared with those from known and recently identified mycobacteria species through phylogenetic analysis. Results: Acid-fast non-branching bacilli were detected in all samples. All samples were also positive for Mycobacterium sp. by real-time PCR. Multi-gene phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of two distinct species of mycobacteria. One aligned closely with Mycobacterium marinum, a well known pathogen affecting fish and man, and a second aligned closely with a species also known to affect both fish and humans, Mycobacterium stomatepiae. Conclusions: Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated the presence of two mycobacterium species in organs from fish showing clinical signs of Piscine Mycobacteriosis in T&T. Further work is needed to characterise these mycobacteria species and investigate their zoonotic potential.

Bluetongue virus infection in naïve cattle: Identification of circulating serotypes and associated Culicoides biting midge species in Trinidad.

To better understand risks associated with trading cattle, it is important to know which serotypes of Bluetongue virus (BTV) are circulating within the exporting and importing country. Hence, this study was conducted to identify the circulating serotypes of BTV in Trinidad. Blood samples were collected monthly from sixty BTV- naïve imported cattle over a six month period after their arrival in the country. Virological (PCR and virus isolation) and serological (ELISA) analyses were carried out on the samples and CDC light traps were placed near the cattle enclosure to trap and identify the species of Culicoides biting midges that were present. All of the cattle seroconverted for BTV antibodies within three months of their arrival in the country and real-time reverse transcription PCR (rRT-PCR) detected BTV-RNA in the samples throughout the remainder of the study. The patterns of infection observed in the cattle indicated serial infections with multiple serotypes. A combination of BTV serotype-specific rRT-PCR on the original blood samples and virus isolation followed by serotype-specific rRT-PCR on selected samples, confirmed the presence of BTV serotypes 1, 2, 3, 5, 12 and 17. This is the first report of BTV-2 and BTV-5 in Trinidad. Light-suction traps placed in close proximity to the cattle predominantly trapped Culicoides insignis Lutz 1913 species (96%), with a further six Culicoides species making up the remaining 4% of trapped samples. The circulation of multiple BTV serotypes in Trinidad underlines the need for regular surveillance, which will contribute to the development of risk assessments for trade in livestock.

Comparison of UV light-suction, incandescent light-suction, semiochemical /CO2-baited and sweepnet traps considering the Culicoides specimen yield, species diversity and crepuscular activity in South Oropouche, Trinidad, W I

Current Culicoides biting midge trapping studies in Trinidad, West Indies, using miniature CDC lightsuction traps have been yielding relatively low numbers of specimens and different species when compared to studies done over 20 years ago that primarily used similar incandescent light-suction traps (Mo et al., 1994). To determine whether this new data is a fair representation of the current status of midges in Trinidad, we compared three different trap types (UV light-suction, incandescent light-suction and 1- Octen-3-ol/CO2-baited), placed in three different set positions (3x3 randomized Latin square design) in a small dairy goat farm located in South Oropouche, Siparia, Trinidad. In a separate exercise at the same farm, we also investigated whether certain Culicoides species showed peak activity in the earlier evening (diurnal species) or later evening (nocturnal species). The farm was sweep-net every 15 minutes for the last two hours of daylight over four days. For both exercises, midges were sorted out and placed in 70% ethanol until speciated via morphology using established biological keys (Aitken et al., 1975). The trap-comparison exercise (total number = 30,702) indicated the semiochemical-baited and UV-light traps gave significantly better specimen yield and species diversity than the incandescent light traps; an apparent gender bias was also noted dependent on the type of trap used. The sweep-net exercise (total number = 975) indicated Culicoides species diversity was fairly constant with C. furens and C. pusillus present at all of the time intervals; however, the highest species diversity was observed between 18:00 and 18:15. Interestingly, C. aitkeni consistently appeared from 17:30 onwards.

One Health, One Caribbean, One Love ­ Caribbean Leadership, Regional Cooperation, Local Action

Inter-sectoral collaboration is extremely limited, both at policy and technical levels, across the Caribbean region. However, many of the priority health problems currently facing the region, like climate change, food security, ocean health, and emerging diseases arise from the interactions between people, animals and our shared environment. If these health issues are to be addressed effectively and efficiently, an intersectoral or One Health approach is clearly required. The European Union funded project "One Health, One Caribbean, One Love" set out to promote and entrench a "One Health" approach to priority health issues affecting humans, animals and the environment within the Caribbean region. The project, which spanned from March 2014 and ended in June 2017, successfully built the capacity of the national veterinary, public health and environmental health services, through the development of a cadre of One Health Leaders, the creation of Caribbean regional and national One Health Networks, and the development of a One Health strategic framework. The One Health Leadership Series developed a core group of One Health Leaders from 12 Caribbean countries. The leaders attended a series of 5 themed One Health Leadership workshops, and each country team developed and conducted a One Health project addressing a national priority health issue at the interface between human, animal and environmental health ­ a learning by doing approach. The One Health leadership series has enabled the leaders to more effectively design and manage One Health policies, programs and projects in order to develop more holistic scientific solutions to emerging health problems.

Virological diagnosis of African swine fever--comparative study of available tests.

The rapid and reliable detection of African swine fever virus (ASFV) is essential both for timely implementation of control measures to prevent the spread of disease, and to differentiate African swine fever (ASF) from other pig disease with similar clinical presentations. Many virological tests are currently available for the detection of ASFV (live virus), antigen and genome, including virus isolation, ELISA, fluorescent antibody, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and isothermal assays. In recent years real-time PCR (rPCR) has become one of the most widely used formats for virological diagnosis providing sensitive, specific and swift detection and quantification of ASFV DNA. The ability to integrate rPCR into automated platforms increases sample throughput and decreases the potential for cross-contamination. In more recent years isothermal assays, which are a lower-cost alternative to PCR more suitable for use in non-specialised or mobile laboratories, have been developed for the detection of ASFV, however these assays have not been fully validated for routine use in the field. The performance of all virological detection assays in ASF diagnostics, as well as prospects for improving diagnostic strategies in the future, are discussed and reviewed in this chapter.